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Xbox 360 sells 270,000 units in US during October

Microsoft, in advance of the NPD data report, has noted that its Xbox 360 sold another 270,000 units in October, which is the same amount the company sold during September. The figure means that Xbox 360 has now outsold competing consoles in the US for 22 consecutive months.

Microsoft noted that Xbox 360 held 56 percent share of current-generation console sales in the US, which is the 20th consecutive month that Xbox 360 has held more than a 40 percent share of current-generation console sales.

The total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in October (hardware, software and accessories) came to $315 million, which once again means that consumers spent more on Xbox 360 products in October than they spent on the other two current-generation consoles combined, Microsoft boasted.

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9 Comments

It's funny how the original Xbox only managed to outsell the PS2 for a single month(when Halo 2 launched) during last gen but this gen the PS3 has barely managed to outsell the 360 for the few months it has. But Microsoft needs to not get too complacent as this may be the last month they outsell all the other consoles. Theres this little console called the Wii U that launches later this month. You may or may not have heard of it but it's expected to do pretty well this holiday season.

@Bruce: I know this is crazy... but maybe it down to the fact that people wants a 360?

You said the same last month, you inability to accept the fact that this consoles still have have a living market, even at the end of their circles, is just astonishing. Do you have any other excuse for the "22nd consecutive month" (like the tittle says, think you missed it) as top selling console?

You are a chief in marketing of a company, you should accept facts like this, regardless of them being of your liking or not...

There is something in economics called price elasticity of demand. If you make something cheaper then you sell more (with exceptions such as goods of conspicuous consumption). The current Xbox US retail model radically reduces the upfront cost of purchase so an increase in demand is inevitable. What those new users do with their boxes is a different matter. Are they prepared to buy $60 games or are they using it as a media centre? Attach rates for these customers would be very interesting to see.

Bruce, are you asking if that $99 + 2 years of Xbox Live Gold sales model is the reason for their extended success?

The short answer: No.

The long answer: No, it's barely even marketed here. The average consumer doesn't even know that sales model even exists. Hell, even most core fans that follow video game news are still not familiar with the option.

This is a test for the big one next year. My guess is that they will use this model as one of their options and promote the hell out of it and reach the mass market this way.

However this "trick" is quickly becoming less and less effective in the market of today. People, in harsh economic times, are becoming better and better at spotting the caveats of these "plans". The fact that you pay a quite hefty premium on these purchases is becoming more and more of a common knowledge these days. In Sweden, for mobile phones, most of these plans are sold side by side with straight up full prise options because people don't want to pay that much extra in the long run. The model has lost its magic but sadly enough is a valid option for those strapped for cash.

Hmmm. I wonder if the used games market comes into play here, as I see dozens of pre-owned and even some new/sealed 360 games from a year or so ago going for as little as $5. Snap up a new 360 for what, $300 and spending an extra C to get 10-20 games is a good deal for someone on a budget.